Healthcare industry major source of harmful emissions

Because the healthcare industry is a major source of harmful emissions, a trio of doctors have suggested a multi-faceted approach to incorporate environmental sustainability into healthcare value assessments, according to an article on the Yale News website.

Their “green print” plan to improve sustainability would engage clinicians and hospital administrators, regulatory bodies, policymakers, and healthcare-related industries in minimizing the healthcare sector’s environmental impact. 

The U.S. healthcare system contributes 10 percent of the nation’s carbon emissions and 9 percent of harmful non-greenhouse air pollutants, according to the article. 

The doctors suggest using sustainability science to examine how the healthcare sector depletes natural resources and produces toxic emissions that undermine public health.

Read the article.